Breastfeeding and Itching

With the itching I would say that your body is probably telling you that you are dehydrated (from using so much of your water to breastfeed). I know that when I breastfed, I would get suddently violently thirsty and itching is often also a symptom of needing to hydrate.

Hi C.,

I never had this problem, but I do have nerve pain issues and it is amazing to me that a tiny pinch in your neck can cause pain in your thigh.(my issue)Have you tried maybe nursing in a different position, laying on your side or holding the baby in one of the different holds (like the football hold). Do you use a boppy to help support the babies weight? Be aware of your posture when you nurse too. Did you have a C-section? My sister and I both noticed that we hunched our backs for a time after our C-sections and as we started to sit up straighter with time, our back muscles would burn (from lack of use?)below the shoulder blade area. Mine was mostly on the right side because I use my right side more. I would contact a lactating specialist and get her opinion especially if it doesn't go away.

Good Luck-

K.

I haven't figured out medically what this is, tomorrow I'm calling my lactation consultant. But.... WITCH HAZEL relives it! My baby boy is 7 days old and this just started happening... thought I was getting hives! I had bumps and a crazy burning rash itch under my chin and on my neck!
WITCH HAZEL during the feedings is the ONLY thing that makes it go away!
Go out and get a few bottles and some cotton swabs and rub it on during the feeding.
You could also try white vinegar.. this was one of the only things that worked for my husbands sunburn one summer... pulls the sting itch out (random I know)
Good luck!

Do you wash your baby's clothing in something different than your own? The itchy jaw could be because the baby is so close and you are allergic to a lotion/detergent that you are using for the baby?

I used to get the same types of upper back pain when I had let down. I didn't know thats what it was though, until I saw a lactation consultant.

I also had lower back pain, that was close to the site where I had an epideral. I still get that, and am told that i probably always will. =(

I breastfed all my kids and never had those problems, but I was thinking you may have a breast infection. I know the burning feeling and itchiness can come from that but not usually in those areas. But you never know! I would definitely call your OB and ask. Good luck!

Hi C.,
You could be describing my own experiences with breastfeeding! I experienced both the itching and the pain. I believe the itching is just a hormonal response...mine went away within a few months. My son is currently 4 months old and I haven't itched in at least a month. I also had the sharp pain in my back. I had it with my first son too. I am not sure what it is, but that also went away within a few months. I would get your baby checked for thrush, though. No one else I know had either of these problems...I thought I was crazy! Stick with it...it will get better soon!!!

For my 4th pregnancy I was itchy the whole pregnancy under my jawline it drove me nuts and during the time I was breastfeeding. Thankfully it stopped when I stopped breastfeeding. I just hoped it would go away in time and it did. Seems each pregnancy it's something and for his it was the itchy jawline and under.

As to the pain in your back if it's behind the breast you are feeding on at the back it sounds like thrush. For my 2nd pregnancy I got terrible plains from the breast through to my back and then it would shoot down my arm and southwards all the way to my feet. Sounds like yours isn't that bad (yet). I would definitely get that looked at. As mine got very bad before they even figured out what the problem was and as a result I had a very nasty looking breast for a good 5 months after I stopped breastfeeding.

Hope this helps :)

The jaw thing sounds like nerve to me but the other pain could be mastitis....see your ob/gyn